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NaCN

Sodium Cyanide (NaCN)

Sodium cyanide is a white crystalline substance that is highly toxic. The company LZD has been producing it at its Kolín plant for more than 100 years. Under the DrumPak brand it is supplied in tablet form packed in drums with a net weight of 50 kg and 25 kg.

Industrial use of sodium cyanide NaCN
Common applications of sodium cyanide include its use in fumigation gold silver zinc and lead refining dye production steel hardening coal gasification and as a source of hydrogen cyanide.

Hardening of metal surfaces with sodium cyanide
Hardening of metal surfaces with sodium cyanide is carried out using liquid carburizing. The solution in which the hardened steel is immersed is a homogeneous solution of sodium cyanide and sodium carbonate. The use of sodium carbonate reduces the rate at which cyanide decomposes at temperature between 900 and 950 °C.

Electroplating and plating with sodium cyanide
Electroplating is a process of dissolving metal cations and forming a fine metal surface on the electrode. Sodium cyanide is commonly used in electrodeposition for the treatment of parts in the automotive industry. The resulting chemical reactions ensure corrosion protection of vehicles and also increase their lifespan.

Extraction of gold and silver cyanide leaching of gold
Cyanide leaching of gold is a method in which gold is extracted from ore. Leaching of gold is achieved using the Elsner equation where gold contained in the ore is converted into a soluble salt of sodium dicyanoaurate.

Metal polishing
Sodium cyanide can be used in metal polishing especially for certain metals.

Chemical synthesis
Sodium cyanide is a reagent in various organic synthesis reactions especially in the synthesis of nitriles and carboxylic acids.

Other applications
Historically sodium cyanide was used for fumigation as a rodenticide and in photography.
Due to its toxicity its use in these areas has been restricted or discontinued in many places.